Automatic Fail Over

The Automatic Fail Over feature lets you create a second monitoring server which will automatically mirror your primary Central Monitoring Service. This Fail Over Slave server will sit quietly and listen for heart beats from the primary monitoring service. If a heart beat isn't received for 5 minutes, it will take over monitoring, alerting and reporting.

Data that is automatically mirrored to the Fail Over Slave are:

• configuration database (groups, computers, servers, monitors, actions, reports)
• Satellite registration database
• application registry settings
• System Alert definitions
• UserList.txt and LDAP/Active Directory settings for remote access
• license file(s)
• shared report files (report templates, graphics, maps, etc)
• MIB files
• language translation files
• oemconfig.ini (optional file)

Because all configuration is 'owned' by the Central Monitoring Service, you can connect to the Fail Over Slave with the Console, but won't be able to change much.

Setup

To use the Automatic Fail Over feature, install a second Central Monitoring Service on a second server, just like you installed the original. Don't worry about adding licenses or importing configuration, etc.

Prerequisites

1. The PA Server Monitor service on both servers need to be using the same MS SQL Server. This can be changed in Database Settings.
2. PA Server Monitor on both servers should use the same service account.

On the Fail Over Slave

This second installation will be referred to as the Fail Over Slave. On the Fail Over Slave:

1. Start the Console on the Fail Over Slave and connect. Go to Settings and check or change the port if needed.
2. Set HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\PAServerMonitor   [DWORD]FO_IsSlave = 1
3. Restart the PA Server Monitor service
4. Open a browser and point it to https://127.0.0.1:{port}/ to ensure the Windows Firewall is not blocking access

On the Fail Over Master

Next, get on the main Central Monitoring Service (the Master in the Master-Slave configuration). Start the Console and go to Advanced Services -> Failover Status -> Configure Fail Over.

You will see the dialog below. Enter the Slave's host name and port.

Press the Check Settings button. This will test the settings on both the Master and Slave. If any items are not green check boxes, select that item to get additional information.

Once all items are green, press OK and the Master and Slave will begin synchronizing configuration information.

Check Status

The Fail Over Status report will show the Automatic Fail Over system's health and readiness, as well as recent communications between the Master and Slave.

You can click the (Slave's status report) link to see the Slave's view of the fail over system's health.

Satellite Fail Over

If you are using the Satellites with the Ultra product edition, add an additional host:port setting in the Satellite configuration so it can find the Fail Over Slave if the Master server is down.